Church bulletin:
When thinking about prospective elders, the apostle Paul does not say check out the man’s academic record, his creative abilities, or his administrative skills. Paul says consider his character, his ability to teach, and his home. If he is not of sound character how can he be an example to the flock. If he is unable to teach how will he minister the Word week by week. If he cannot manage his wife and children and order his home how will he pastor the house of God.
Homes are important. They are the space in which we live; the locale which frames our day to day lives. As such they say a lot about who we are, what we are like and how we function. The scriptures bring this to light many times over. The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is praised for the state of her household. She is diligent in domestic responsibilities. Her children are well kept, and she extends herself to those in need. Her husband is blessed in that he can trust her to manage the home and other business interests. She cannot be charged with carelessness. In Titus 2 Paul instructs the older women to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Newly married women are to learn what it means to run a well-managed household. This is pleasing to the Lord and demonstrates a godly life. In Proverbs 24, Solomon speaks of a man whose land is overgrown with weeds and the wall has fallen down. His property is in a state of neglect and disrepair, it is a shameful testimony to the man’s laziness.
It must be said that Christians are not to be preoccupied trying to have the best house in the street. The Christian who is concerned to impress with the latest décor and gadgets is living in sin. We are not given homes and families in order to compete with others. Furthermore, houses continually require attention especially with young children, every garden gets to the point that it needs some TLC, who hasn’t felt that a good clean or working bee is overdue. Life is busy, we get tired, and we fall behind. But this is not the same thing as constant neglect, laziness, and indifference.
The management of our homes should demonstrate the truths we believe. God is not a god of chaos and disorder. We are to reflect the diligence and care which characterizes His management of creation. He has called us to be good stewards of the blessings we receive, just as He is a good steward over our lives. Therefore, as a general rule and without being unrealistically fastidious, our homes should be clean, tidy, and well-maintained; family life orderly and organised.
The necessity of keeping house is not an issue of pride or worldliness. It is an issue of practical godliness. It is an issue of worshipping God with all that we have. 1 Cor 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our homes tell a story. The story they tell is about us.
What does your home and homelife say about you?